My binocular are also "frozen". It is very difficult to adjust the focus. One day it was fine. The next it had this problem. I can't speak to a loss of fluid. All I know is it is difficult to adjust the focus -- much force must be used to get the center knob to move.

My binocular are also "frozen". It is very difficult to adjust the focus. One day it was fine. The next it had this problem. I can't speak to a loss of fluid. All I know is it is difficult to adjust the focus -- much force must be used to get the center knob to move.

AnonymousFeb 08, 2009

I have the compact 8x25 Minolta; it was difficult to move the focus barrel off and on for several years, and now absolutely impossible.I have the compact 8x25 Minolta; it was difficult to move the focus barrel off and on for several years, and now absolutely impossible.

I never figured out how to fix it but I bought them at REI and they were able to find the receipt and get a warranty repair. One problem is Minolta no longer makes binoculars so a service center takes care of warranties.The Minolta site has details.

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The adjusting knob has a rubber cover over it. Remove the rubber cover and take out the phillips head screw underneath. Then turn the adjusting knob all the way left with a pair of pliers and continue turning and it will unscrew and come off. Underneath you will find a metal lock nut, when you loosen this you will find the adjusting knob is suddenly not frozen anymore. It seems that this nut tightens over time to the point where the whole mechanism freezes. You can take the nut off and put some thread lock on the threads and tighten it just enough and it won't happen again. Cheers.

Most compact binoculars have a central bridge. The objective (big lens) end of the binocular hinge usually has a ball bearing in it. The other end may either have a blanking cap or a hub where the neck strap attaches. Removing this cap or hub will reveal a grub screw which tightens another ball bearing against the bridge. Take the appropriate part off the limp side and look for the grub screw. Tightening it will decrease the "limpness". Be careful, as these are sometimes set in place with a locktite of some kind. Best to release pressure first before tightening.

sorry to give you bad news , but most zoom binoculars are not worth cost to repair, they are made of either a small steel band or tiny metal gears to enable both sides to work simultaneously, once they are broken it is almost impossible to find matching parts. sorry....larry@reichinstruments.com